When it comes to assessing the extent of damage to a windshield, size is an important factor, but it's not the only one. Generally, cracks up to three inches in length can be repaired if they are not too deep and are located in the center of the glass. However, if the crack is larger than that, it's likely that a complete replacement will be necessary. The windshield repair industry is constantly evolving, so the ability to repair larger chips or cracks may vary depending on the repair company. It's important to note that there is a business standard for auto glass repair published by the National Windshield Repair Association which outlines what types of damage can be safely repaired.
This standard states that chips smaller than a quarter and cracks up to three inches can be easily repaired. While insurance companies have the right to decide what damages they will cover and what they won't, it's important to remember this standard when considering repair or replacement. The length of the crack is one of the main factors that will determine whether it can be repaired or not. If the crack is located outside of the driver's line of sight, then repair is not recommended as it may cause some distortion which could impair the driver's vision. It's also important to ensure that both the inner and outer layers of the glass have not been damaged as this indicates that the crack is too deep for repair. The best way to determine if a windshield can be safely repaired or not is to have it evaluated by a local, reputable windshield repair shop.
They will be able to assess the damage and advise on the best course of action. Current standards classify short cracks as less than 6 inches and long cracks as between 6 and 14 inches. One advantage of windshield repair over replacement is that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as lane change warning sensors do not usually need to be recalibrated once the repair is complete. Therefore, if you have a broken windshield, it's important to contact an auto glass repair and replacement company as soon as possible in order to find the most ideal solution.
